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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina head men's golf coach Bill McDonald announced the hiring of former Gamecock Alex Hamilton as the program's assistant coach on Saturday.

Hamilton will replace Don Hill, who accepted the head coaching position at Elon University. A four-year standout for the Gamecocks from 2001-05, Hamilton returns to his alma mater after serving as an assistant coach for the Mercer men's golf team this season.

"I am excited and honored to come home to South Carolina," Hamilton said. "Getting to work with such an accomplished head coach as Bill McDonald is a privilege. The direction in which the golf program is heading is exciting. I am looking forward to getting to work and continuing to build the legacy that is Carolina golf. There has never been a better time to be a Gamecock!"

While at Mercer, Hamilton's responsibilities included assisting with course management, practice instruction, day-to-day operations and recruiting. Prior to joining Mercer's staff, Hamilton served as a sales consultant for Dynasplint Systems, INC.

"I'm very proud to have Alex joining our staff," McDonald said. "His experience here at South Carolina and his playing resume is a great fit for our program. I look forward to working with Alex and continuing to build upon the success we've had here."

Hamilton brings a wealth of collegiate and professional golf experience to Columbia. He was a second-team All-SEC selection for the Gamecocks in 2004 after posting a scoring average of 73.34 and recording four top-10 finishes, including a tie for fifth showing at the SEC Championship. He also won the 2004 South Carolina Amateur Championship. Off the course Hamilton was a standout in the classroom as he was a two-time Cleveland Golf All-American Scholar and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years.

After graduating from South Carolina in 2005 with bachelor degrees in Economics and Real Estate, Hamilton spent seven years playing in the professional ranks, competing on the eGolf Professional Tour, the NGA Hooters Tour, the Nationwide Tour and the PGA Tour. He captured two tournament titles on the eGolf Tour and finished in the top-10 on three occasions on the NGA Hooters Tour. He also played in the PGA Tour's McGladrey Classic and Greenbrier Classic in 2010.

During his high school career, Hamilton lettered four years at South Aiken High School and earned all-region and all-state honors his junior and senior years.

A native of Aiken, S.C., Hamilton and his family have long running ties to the University of South Carolina. His father, Jim, was a member of the Gamecock golf team from 1968-72, serving as captain his junior and senior years. His mother, Pam, graduated from South Carolina in 1975. Hamilton's wife, Kristin, also has SEC ties, as she received her bachelor's (2006) and master's (2009) degrees from the University of Florida.